Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-date-night-the-lamb-inn-crawley"><strong>Date Night: <a href="https://www.lambpub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lamb Inn</a>, Crawley</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150653.376-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Lamb Inn, Crawley" class="wp-image-173368" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150653.376-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150653.376-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150653.376-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150653.376.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Lamb Inn at Crawley is my local, and I’ve been going there ever since we moved to Witney over five years ago. It’s one of those places that never disappoints, whether it’s a date night or hosting family and friends. The Cajun rotisserie chicken is my favourite dish but, honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. The service is always great and it has such a warm, welcoming atmosphere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bakery-amp-brunch-blake-s-kitchen-clanfield"><strong>Bakery &amp; Brunch: <a href="https://www.blakeskitchen.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blake&#8217;s Kitchen</a></strong>, Clanfield</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150909.996.jpg" alt="Blakes, Clanfield" class="wp-image-173370" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150909.996.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150909.996-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150909.996-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T150909.996-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>On a rare day off, you’ll find me at Blakes in Clanfield for brunch. I usually go for the Full English — it’s always made with such high-quality produce — and they serve really delicious coffee. Before I leave, I can never resist grabbing a cinnamon bun to enjoy later. Blakes has this lovely, relaxed vibe, which makes it the perfect spot to treat myself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pizza-fix-sartorelli-s-at-fire-amp-wine-milton-under-wychwood"><strong>Pizza Fix: <a href="https://www.sartorellis.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sartorelli’s</a> at Fire &amp; Wine, Milton-under-Wychwood</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/FireWine.jpeg" alt="Fire &amp; Wine Milton under Wychwood" class="wp-image-173614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/FireWine.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/FireWine-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/FireWine-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I’m a sucker for salty pizzas, and Sartorelli’s La Luciana is my go-to. It’s packed with all my favourite flavours — anchovies, olives, and capers. Their new spot at Fire &amp; Wine in Milton-under-Wychwood has this cool, industrial feel that reminds me of when I used to live near Peckham. It’s a slice of urban chic in the heart of the Cotswolds, and I love it!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relaxation-nirvana-spa-sindlesham-and-scenic-sauna-northleach"><strong>Relaxation: <a href="https://nirvanaspa.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nirvana Spa</a>, Sindlesham and <a href="https://www.scenicsauna.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scenic Sauna</a></strong>, Northleach</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151707.459.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-173374" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151707.459.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151707.459-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151707.459-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151707.459-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When I need a proper break, I head to Berkshire&#8217;s Nirvana Spa in Sindlesham. It’s the perfect place to switch off — I’m obsessed with the heated beds and the hydrotherapy pool. I take my Kindle, relax, and it feels like a mini holiday. I also love the Scenic Sauna closer to home in Northleach, especially after a long shift at work. It’s the perfect way to unwind and ease those aching muscles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-country-pub-the-bull-charlbury"><strong>Country Pub: <a href="https://thebullcharlbury.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bull</a>, Charlbury</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151956.197.jpg" alt="The Bull, Charlbury" class="wp-image-173375" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151956.197.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151956.197-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151956.197-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T151956.197-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Having spent most of my life in London, I still get excited about a proper country pub with a roaring fire. The Bull in Charlbury is perfect for that. They serve delicious small plates, and it has that true rural feel I adore. Charlbury also has some other gems — like The Old Shed, which is perfect for a coffee, cake, and a dog walk with Ralphie, my dog. We always make sure to say hello to the donkeys there too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-walk-combe-mill-nr-long-hanborough"><strong>Dog Walk: <a href="https://www.combemill.co.uk/">Combe Mill</a>, nr Long Hanborough</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152300.515.jpg" alt="Combe Mill, near Woodstock" class="wp-image-173376" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152300.515.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152300.515-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152300.515-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152300.515-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Speaking of Ralphie, one of our favourite walks is near Combe Mill, the original sawmill and workshop of the Blenheim Palace estate. It’s such a beautiful spot with a bit of everything — woodlands that change with the seasons, rolling fields, and peaceful streams and river spots. It’s gorgeous all year round, especially during wild garlic and bluebell season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-fix-the-edge-witney"><strong>Caffeine fix: <a href="https://www.theedgeatlils.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Edge</a></strong>, <strong>Witney</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152549.066.jpg" alt="The Edge Eatery, Witney" class="wp-image-173378" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152549.066.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152549.066-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152549.066-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Untitled-design-2024-10-08T152549.066-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Finally, The Edge in Witney is one of my favourite places to grab coffee. I met the owner, Tom, through Independent Oxford which we’re both members of and I’ve always admired his vision for creating great brunch and coffee spots. It’s so nice to have a place like The Edge right on our doorstep, and their Frank breakfast muffin is a personal favourite.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-gem-worton-kitchen-garde-n-nr-cassington"><strong>Hidden Gem: <a href="https://wortonkitchengarden.com/">Worton Kitchen Garde</a><a href="https://wortonkitchengarden.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">n</a></strong>, nr Cassington</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="981" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WortonKitchenGarden.jpg" alt="Worton Kitchen Garden" class="wp-image-169325" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WortonKitchenGarden.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WortonKitchenGarden-800x785.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/WortonKitchenGarden-400x392.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: @wortonkitchengarden</figcaption></figure>



<p>Worton Kitchen Garden near Cassington is my idea of heaven. I’ve spent so many happy afternoons there, enjoying long, leisurely meals in the sun with family and friends. I love gardening and animals, and Worton has plenty of both. It’s such a special place that my partner and I have even talked about having our wedding reception there one day.</p>



<p><strong>Love local, seasonal, brunch and cakes? Go say hello to Rachel at her <a href="https://www.oxfordsailing.club/the-club/the-waterside-cafe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">café at the Farmoor Reservoir</a></strong></p>


My Favourite Places: Waterside Café owner Rachel Blackie

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